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PS Audio Directstream DAC MkII Digital Analog Converter (DAC) Up for sale is my PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk II. Purchased new from local retailer in April of this year so a little over 6 months old and in excellent condition except for a small scratch on the top glass plate that is impossible to picture… Best DAC I’ve had through my system but got the itch to mix things up, simplify and minimise the box count! Can provide proof of purchase and still have the original packaging so can courier interstate Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Cash, EFT Region/State: (NSW) New South Wales/
The PS Audio DirectStream is a revered, upgradable DAC known for its musicality and pure DSD output, though this listing prices the original MK1 model at A$9,100, which sits well above the 75th percentile of A$7,598 for recent AUD listings. Given the ground truth median of A$6,293 and the fact that used MK1 units often trade closer to A$3,000–A$4,000, this asking price is ambitious and likely overvalued for a first-generation unit unless it includes rare upgrades or original accessories.
However, if the seller is the original owner and the condition is truly excellent, the product’s enduring firmware compatibility and balanced outputs make it a worthwhile buy for enthusiasts seeking a discrete, high-resolution DAC with proven long-term performance. The timing is also relevant: as the MK1 is discontinued and replaced by newer models, owning a well-maintained, upgradable unit can offer meaningful value if priced fairly—but at A$9,100, it demands strong justification beyond condition alone.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.
Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.
See all PS Audio listings on RADAR.
